The Oklahoma City Thunder showcased remarkable resilience in the NBA Finals, defeating the Indiana Pacers 111-104 in Game 4, thus evening the series at 2-2. Notably, this victory prevented the Thunder from experiencing only their third consecutive loss of the season. The game took place in Indianapolis, where the Pacers aimed to capitalize on their powerful “clutch” performance, having a record of 9-1 in such scenarios during the playoffs. However, they faltered dramatically in the fourth quarter, being outscored by 14 points and managing only five points in the final four minutes.
Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, returning from a challenging game, scored 35 points, including 15 of the team’s last 16 points. His resurgence was crucial, as he had struggled early in the game but ultimately dominated in crucial moments. Support came from Jalen Williams, who contributed 27 points, while Chet Holmgren notched 14 points and 15 rebounds despite battling injuries.
Oklahoma City’s strategy involved altering their lineup by reintroducing center Isaiah Hartenstein to complement Holmgren, although both struggled initially against Indiana’s early lead. The Thunder’s three-point shooting was notably poor, making only three compared to the Pacers, but they excelled at the free-throw line, capitalizing on their opportunities.
As the game progressed, adjustments in Gilgeous-Alexander’s playing time and positioning allowed him to regain his offensive rhythm, leading to a turnaround with just two minutes remaining. Ultimately, the victory underscored the depth and adaptability of the Thunder, leaving the Pacers looking to regroup before their next challenge in Game 5.
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